Rod centralizer



1963 J. R. SOLUM ETAL 3,100,016

ROD CENTRALIZER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 2: F 23 2 3 d R- i F 5 L M m? W C 7 T V 2 c M M 0 H I J M. M A dww 1 1 1963 J. R. soLuM E'II'ALI 3,100,016

ROD CENTRALIZER Filed 001;. 24, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 04 1? 6+! fi a s is :h gg

INVENTORS JAMES SOLUM A TTO/FNEYS 3,100,016 Patented Aug. 6, 1963 3,108,016 ROD CENTRALIZER James R. Soium, Los Angeies, and William (I. Hempel,

Manhattan Beach, Calif., assignors to B & W Incorporated, Torrance, (lalifl, a corporation of (Ialifornia Filed Get. 24, 1960, Ser. No. 64,496 14 Claims. (fl. 16624l) This invention relates to the drilling and completion of wells and is particularly directed to improvements in devices for centering the casing in the well bore and improving the quality of cementing the casing in the well bore.

In the completion of oil and gas wells, it is common practice to cement the casing within the well bore. To improve the quality of cementation, devices are placed on the exterior of the casing to center same within the well bore and additional devices, generally described as scratchers, are similarly mounted to condition the well bore wall and drilling fluid.

The present invention is concerned with improvements in devices composed of outwardly bowed round steel rods that perform both the centering and conditioning functions and more particularly with improvements in the mounting of these rods on collars to be installed on the exterior of the casing.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a novel form of well cementing tool for centering casing in a well bore and conditioning the well bore wall and drilling fluid prior to the cementation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an effec tive centering device to be mounted on the exterior of well casing which device ofiers a minimum restriction to circulation in the annular space between the casing and the well bore.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel form of well cementing tool for conditioning the well bore wall upon axial movement of the casing relative to the well bore wall which includes rods inclined to such direction of movement, and which tool will not impart a rotational force on the casing.

Another object is to provide a well tool of this type to be mounted on a well casing wherein the rods are secured to coaxial separated collars in a novel manner.

Other and more detailed objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the well tool device constituting the preferred embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on lines 22 in FIG. 1.

FIG 3 is a sectional view of substantially the same portion as FIG. 2 but prior to final assembly of the device.

FIG. 4 is a profile view of one rod segment of the vertically extending spring rod assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1, showing a modification.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on lines 6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1, showing a second modification.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on lines 8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1, showing a third modification.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially on lines 10-10 in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially on lines 11-11 in FIG. 9'.

Referring now to the drawings, the rod type centralizer generally designated 10, includes a pair of upper and lower collars 11 and 12, respectively, axially aligned and spaced, adapted to encircle and be mounted on a well pipe or casing (not shown).

A spring rod assembly, generally designated 13, is provided and includes a plurality of spring rod segments 13a which extend bet-ween and separate the upper and lower collars, I1 and 12. Each spring rod segment 13a has outwardly bowed portions 14 adjacent each end and relatively straight middle portion 15' (as best shown in FIG. 4). The middle portion 15 of each rod segment is inclined to a plane intersecting that rod segment and containing the axis of the collars 1d and 12 as a result of the angular misalignment of the ends of each rod segment. The rod segments may be portions of a continuous length of spring rod (as shown) having base pieces 16 joining each adjacent rod segment.

On each collar a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs 17 are lanced outwardly from the surface of said collars and having base portions '18. Internal recesses 19 are formed adjacent each tab base portion 18 and said recesses are of sufiicient depth and width to receive the end portions 20 of said tabs. Pilot holes 21 may be punched in the collar (as shown) for proper indexing and locating of the said collar in the final assembly operation of manufacture.

In assembling the device the base piece 16 of the rod length is inserted under the tab 17 near the base portion 18 thereof and the end portion 20 is forced around the said base piece into the internal recess 19. Welding may be used to retain said end portion 26 in said recess 19 (not shown).

In the modified form of this invention shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the tab 17a is forced outwardly of the collar and around the base piece 16a of the rod length. Further, the tab end portion 20a is secured by any convenient means such as spot weld 22a.

In the second modified form of this invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the tab 17b extends beyond one end of the collar 11b and said tab includes a recess 23b formed interiorly and an end portion 2% extending axially. The rod base piece 16b is positioned within recess 23b and ring 24b is axially inserted inside the said tabs, end portions, recesses and rod base pieces and said ring is secured to said tabs by any convenient means such as spot weld 22b.

In the third modified form of this invention shown in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 rod securing tab means used in the previously described forms is replaced by an interior pocket 25 having an axially facing opening 26 and a. bridge element 27 near said opening. The rod base pieces of this modified form have axially extending portions for insertion under the bridge element 27, through the opening 26 and into the pocket 25. The said bridge element and pocket are then mechanically deformed to secure the rod base pieces to the collar 11c.

Having fully described our invention, it is to be understood that we do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but our invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a device of the class described, adapted to be mounted on the outer surface of a well pipe, the combination of: a pair of axially aligned and spaced collars, a plurality of generally axially extending and outwardly bowed rod segments, each said rod segment having angularly offset ends, each rod segment positioned at an angle to each adjacent rod segment, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced means on each said collar securing the ends of said rod segments to said collars.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the said rod segments are formed of one continuous length of spring rod, wherein each rod segment is positioned at an angle to a plane containing the axis of said collars and intersecting that rod segment, and wherein each rod segment is oppositely inclined to such a plane than each adjacent rod segment.

3. In a device of the class described, adapted to be mounted on the outer surface of a well pipe, the combi nation of: a pair of axially aligned and spaced collars, a plurality of generally axially extending and outwardly bowed rod segments, each said rod segment having angularly ofiset ends, each rod segment positioned at an angle to each adjacent rod segment, a plurality of circumferenplurality of generally axially extending and outwardly bowed rod segments, each said rod segment having angularly ohset ends, each rod segment positioned at an angle to each adjacent rod segment, a plurality of circumferentially spaced tabs integrally formed with each collar and protruding axially from one end of said collars, a ring inserted coaxially with each collar and interiorly of said tabs cooperating therewith and retaining the ends of said rod segments, and each said tab secured to said ring to cooperate therewith and encircle a said rod segment end.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein the said rod segments are formed of one continuous length of spring I rod, wherein each rod segment is positioned at an angle tially spaced means on each collar anchoring said rod segments to said collars, said means including tab means integrally formed with the collars and encircling the ends of said rod segments, whereby said rod segments are secured to said collars.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the said rod segments'are formed of "one continuous length of spring rod, wherein each rod segment is positioned at an angle to a plane containing the axis of said collars and intersecting that rod segment, and wherein each rod segment is oppositely inclined to such a plane than each adjacent rod segment.

5. In a device of the class described, adapted to be mounted on the outer surface of a well pipe, the combination of: a pair of axially aligned and spaced collars, a

plurality of generally axially extending and outwardly bowed rod segments, each said rod segment having angularly oifsetends, each said rod segment being oppositely inclined relative to each adjacent rod segment, a plurality of circumferentially spaced means on each collar anchor- I ing said rod segments to said collars, said means including a tab means integrally formed with the collars and encircling the ends of said rod segments, whereby said rod segments are secured to said collars.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the said rod to a plane containing the axis of said collars and intersecting that rod segment, and wherein each rod segment is oppositely inclined to such a plane than each adjacent rod segment.

11. In a device of the class described, adapted to be mounted on the outer surface of a well pipe, the combination of: a pair of axially aligned and spaced collars, a plurality of generally axially extending and outwardly bowed rod segments, each said rod segment having angularly offset ends, each rod segment positioned at an angle to each adjacent rod segment, a plurality of circumferentially spaced means on each collar anchoring said rod segments to said collars, said means including a pocket integrally formed with the collar and a bridge element integrally formed with the collar adjacent said pocket, the end of said rod segment inserted axially through said bridge element and terminating within said pocket, the said bridge element and pocket enclosing said rod segment end and securing said rod segment to said collar.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein the said rod segments are formed of one continuous length of spring rod, wherein each rod segment is positioned at an angle to a plane containing the axis of said collars and intersecting that rod segment, and wherein each rod seg ment is oppositely inclined to such a plane than each ad- 2 jacen-t rod segment.

13. In a well pipe centering and well bore abrading device, the combination of: a pair of axially aligned and spaced collars adapted to be mounted on the exterior surface of the well pipe, a spring rod assembly extending plurality of generally axially extending and outwardly ments to said collars, said means including a tab integrally t to such a plane than each adjacent rod segment.

formed with the collars, an internal recess provided in said collars adjacent the base portion of each said' tab, the end of each rod segment inserted under the base portion of each tab, the said tabs encircling said rod segment ends with the tab ends extending within the said internal t recess.

8. The combination of claim 7 in which the said axially extending r-od segments are formed of one continuous length of spring rod and adjacent axially extending portions are oppositely inclined in relation to the axis of the said collars. V

9. In a device of the class described, adapted to be mounted on the outer surface of a well pipe, the combination of: a pair of axially aligned and spaced collars, a

between and mounted on said collars, said spring red assembly having a plurality of circumferentially spaced rod segments extending between said collars, and each said rod segment being bowed outwardly from said collars and positioned at an angle to each adjacent rod segment.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein each said rod segment is positioned at an angle to a plane containing the axis of said collars and intersecting that rod segment, and wherein each rod segment is oppositely inclined References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,336,673 Berntson Apr. 13, 1920 1,677,050 Reed et al July 10, 1928 1,757,777 Martin May 6, 1930 2,248,160 Crawford July 8, 1941 2,717,650 Hall Sept. 13, 1955 2,826,253 Wright et al Mar. 11, 1958 2,881,840 Wright et 'al; Apr. 14, 1959 2,903,073 Coyle Sept. 8, 1959 2,918,974 Johnson Dec. 29, 1959 

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON THE OUTER SURFACE OF A WELL PIPE, THE COMBINATION OF: A PAIR OF AXIALLY ALIGNED AND SPACED COLLARS, A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY AXIALLY EXTENDING AND OUTWARDLY BOWED ROD SEGMENTS, EACH SAID ROD SEGMENT HAVING ANGULARLY OFFSET ENDS, EACH ROD SEGMENT POSITIONED AT AN ANGLE TO EACH ADJACENT ROD SEGMENT, AND A PLURALITY OF CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED MEANS ON EACH SAID COLLAR SECURING THE ENDS OF SAID ROD SEGMENTS TO SAID COLLARS. 